'80s synth pop stars, A-ha, have just released a 4K version of the classic and revolutionary video for their smash hit single, "Take On Me." The video, directed by Steve Barron, used rotoscoping … a mix of live-action and pencil animation … to tell a fantastical love story and is still considered to be one of the most iconic music videos of all time.
A-ha | “Take On Me’ [Official 4K Music Video]
A press release for the updated 4k version of “Take on Me” notes: “most music videos from this time were edited in tape format, while this clip was uniquely restored from the original 35mm film reels. A-ha also shared a short side-by-side video to show how the 4k restoration has made the clip more vibrant and crisp.”
Upon its release, “Take on Me” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and the music video became a mainstay, hitting heavy rotation on MTV back in 1984. Almost 35 years later, the clip’s revolutionary look continues to impress – it’s on the verge of joining a select group of older songs to reach 1 billion views on YouTube. Other pre-2000 tracks to hit the milestone include Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain,” Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
In November, a-ha shared a three-part docuseries that delved into the making of “Take on Me,” both the song and video.
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